With its steep mountains plunging into the azure sea, Serifos' wild beauty lends it an enchanting, serene quality. The island boasts more than 70 beaches and a number of charming villages sprinkled across its coastline and mountainous interior.

The island's Chora stretches toward a hilltop, its abandoned factories that loom in the background contrasting sharply with the whitewashed alleys and flower infested streets.

Typical Cycladic, this charming island has kept a rather low profile in the years of tourist development, saving it from the ravaging effects of mass tourism. Although less popular than the mega-stars of the Cyclades, Serifos' charm captures first time visitors, making them return again and again.

Serifos Highlights

Chora

Serifos' main town is one of the most beautiful of the Aegean islands. Wander around its charming little alleys, its chic and simple whitewashed houses dotted with colourful pots of flowers, have a coffee in one of the traditional kafenia and try some delicious local cuisine.

Castle of Serifos

Perched on top of the hill above Chora's whitewashed houses, the Castle of Serifos was originally built in antiquity and then fortified by the Venetians. According to mythology, Greek hero Perseus lived there. Legend also has it that he hid the head of the Medusa somewhere on the island.

The quarries

The island flourished thanks to its quarries in the 1800s. Yet the economic crisis and the bad working conditions that prevailed during the early 1900s caused the quarries to shut down and have since been abandoned, creating a scenery of otherworldly decadence.

Churches and monasteries

Serifos boasts more than 116 churches, including the fortress-cum-Monastery of Taxiarchis, a 1572 convent still inhabited by monks. Many of the churches are restored Byzantine buildings of great architectural interest.

What to do & see in Serifos

The port of Serifos is the heart of the island, with its cheerful array of shops, cafes and tavernas lining the waterfront. The atmosphere is lively and cheerful, the locals friendly and welcoming. Sit at one of the cafes and watch the coming and going of tourists and locals as they go about their daily business.

Chora has a romantic quality, not least because of its location, which affords for spectacular views of the sea and picture-perfect sunsets. Lose track of time wandering around the streets of Palia and Nea Chora, try local delicacies in one of the excellent tavernas, cool down at the plaza of the town-hall, sip a glass of wine at one of the bars or, if you are up to the 40min walk, follow the stone-paved path that leads down to the port.

In Chora, you will also find a small archaeological museum with a fascinating collection of Hellenic and Roman exhibits that were excavated from the castle, and a folklore museum with objects from the island's everyday life.

Best beaches in Serifos

Agios Sostis A stunning bay with fine golden sand and bright turquoise water, protected from the winds. There is also a small pebbled cove next to it.

Avlomonas A beautiful sandy cove situated close to the port. There is natural shade, sunbeds and a number of cafes and tavernas.

Ganema One of the largest and most beautiful beaches of Serifos, with fine sand and dazzling blue waters, nestled in the bay of Koutalas.

Kalo Abeli A stunning sandy cove with bright turquoise waters, backed by a rugged landscape. There are no organized facilities here.

Karavi A small sandy cove with dazzling waters and view over to the island of Serifos. Remember to bring your own food and drinks.

Koutalas A beautiful pebbled beach with electric blue waters and the abandoned quarries looming in the background. Served by a cafe-restaurant.

Lia A beautiful tranquil bay with some pebbles and electric blue waters. You need to park your car and walk for 10min to get there.

Livadakia A charming bay with fine sand and crystal clear waters, backed by trees that provide natural shade. There are restaurants and bars nearby.

Megalo Livadi A beautiful bay lined with sand and pebbles, situated close to the quarries. Shaded by trees and served by the nearby tavernas.

Platis Gialos A bay with three sandy coves close to the convent of Taxiarches. Fine golden sand, azure waters, natural shade and a couple of tavernas.

Psili Ammos A stunning bay with fine sand and dazzling waters, frequented by families due to its shallow waters.

Sikamia One of the island's largest beaches, with fine sand and pebbles, clear waters and shade. Gets rather rough when the wind is northerly.

Vagia A gorgeous cove with coarse golden sand and dazzling azure waters. There are no facilities here and no trees to provide shade.

How to get to Serifos

You can get to Serifos by sea from the port of Piraeus. The ferry ride takes about 2 - 2.5 hrs. Alternatively, you can fly to Paros or Milos and take a connecting ferry from there.

Where to stay in Serifos

The best way to enjoy Serifos’ untouched wild beauty is gazing in its breathtaking views sipping a glass of wine; the best place to do that is sitting by the pool of one of the luxury villas in Serifos. Absolute seclusion while being in between earth and sky: that is the setting of your vacation so go ahead and browse our collection of luxurious private villas cause paradise is waiting.

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The Greek Villas are the leading luxury villa rental specialist in Greece. Well-established, professional, passionate and ethical, we are experts not only in the best luxury villas in Greece, but in Greece itself. We are large enough to feature the finest selection of luxury villas in Greece, and to have offices throughout the Greek islands, but small enough to care. We believe the real luxury is the exceptional level of service that we offer, from beginning to end.

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